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2 Sheets-Sheet 11 P. H. ADAMS, Jr. 8510. T. X. ADAMS. APPARATUS FOR U$E IN DBOOMPOSING METALLIG SALTS AND DESULPHURIZING 0112s.

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(No Model.)

Mar. 5, 1889.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets Sheet 2. P. H. ADAMS, Jr. 8!; O. T. X. ADAMS. APPARATUS FOR USE IN DEGOMPOSING- METALLIC SALTS AND DESULPHURIZING DEBS.

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tic-a1 section of a modified form of running- UNITED STATES ATENT (l tmus.

Pnmims u. ADAMS, in, .lxn ousiiimii 'r. x. nouns, or CHICAGO, ILLix'ois, lissicrons 'ro MELINDA PECK, or SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR USE IN DECOMPOSING METALLIC SALTS AND DESULPHURIZING ORES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 399,111, dated March 5, 1889.

Application filed November 24, 1888. Serial No. 291,82 i. ("No model.)

apparatus that will operate to mechanically 1 decom pose chemical compounds and metallic salts and desulphurize ores or their resulting material, when the substances treated are in i a molten state, by the action of centrifugal force; and our invention consists in the features and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

' In thedrawii'igs, Figure 1 is a Vertical 500- tion of the upper portion of the apparatus, with the lower portion in elevation, showing 1 the operative parts. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the running-gear of the main shaft,

Fig. 3 is a vergear, and Fig. l a side elevation of a small 1 receiving-vessel will not come in contact; and

right here we desire to say that in speaking of the lining we do not include the bottom portion, which will be described hereinafter, although we also prefer to use these channels or grooves in all or part of the bottom, as well as in the lining proper. The object of thus providing the lining is to decrease the conduction of heat from the interior to the exterior shell or case oi? the recciving-vessel. The bottom of the lining is also preferably made of two parts. One, a central portion, 0, on which the molten material first fails when introduced into the receiviugwessel, is preferably made of any refractory material capable of withstanding the intense heat to which it is subjected as the molten material falls upon it. Another portion, D, preferably made of iron, surrounds the central piece and extends therefrom to the sides of the re ceiving-vessel, properly fitting against both the central piece and the lining at the outer edges, serving to hold the central portion of refractory material from flying to pieces under the action of centrifugal force. The upper portion of the lining, which may be I termed its neck or mouth, is preferably compounds, metallic salt-s, or salts of metals, and desulphurizing ores, we first make a receiving-Vessel, preferably composed of a lining, B, and a surround ing shell or case, A, wrapped with wire, as hereinafter described, and having an opening at the top, through which the molten material to be treated is introduced. This material may consist of molten substancessuch as matte, sulphides, metallic salts, or salts of metals in their various forms. The lining B is preferably of cast-iron and of a proper size and shape externally to fit within the surrounding shell or case A, preferably made of boiler-iron or other suitable material. By

saying that the lining is to fit the case we mean, simply, that it is to be of a size and shape to be inserted therein and removed therefrom. The exterior of the lining is also preferably provided with a number of channels or grooves places where the lining and the made of apiece, E, surrounding the opening and separate from the rest of the lining, so that as it becomes worn and impaired in use by the action of the molten material, which is clined hood, G, covered in any com-enient manner. At any convenient point below the top of the receiviug-vessel we provide a 1'0- tatin g table, which may be rotated in any convenient manner, and upon which the material discharged from the opening of the receivingvessel falls and is carried around to a spout, whence it is discharged.

The receiving-vessel is provided with a suitable bottom below the lining U and D, which wehave described, adapted to be rigidly or indentations, I), to ait'ord fixed or fastened to an actuating shaftor shell of the spindle,ll; but the arrangementof the bottom of the receiving-vessel and the method of fixing it to the spindle H are apparent from an examination of Fig. 1 of the drawings, and

. as they do not form the sole subject-matter of our claims, they need not be described in detail.

As the receiving-vessel is intended to be rotated at a great speedseveral thousand revolutions to the minuteand to be subjected to a great strain, owing to the weight and heat of the material introduced into it and the great centrifugal force developed by the rotation of the rcceivingwessel and the weight of its contents, we desire to secure special strength or capability of resisting internal pressure in the receiving-vessel as well as to secure it again st instantaneous explosion or' flying to pieces should it become ov ertaxed by the weight. or heat of the material within it and the speed at which it is rotated. To this end we prefer to provide the receiving vessel with a cover or envelope, I, of strong wire wrapped or coiled tightly around its exterior surface. This wire covering may consist of any number of coils or layers of wire. The wire, being of great tensile-strength and capability of elongation or stretching before it breaks, will operate to prevent the receiving -vessel from instantly going to pieces should it become overtaxed; and for the purpose of imparting greater strength to the curbing F, and to prevent it from breaking in case of an explosion of the receiving-vessel, we prefer-to wrap it with wire in the same way. Of course it will be understood that if the parts of the apparatus be made sufficiently strong as to obviate all danger without the use of wire it may be dispensed with, though, as an extra precaution, we prefer to use it, as above explained.

The actuating shaft or spindle H, which rotates'the receiving-vessel, has a flexible joint or coupling, J, (shown in Fig. 1,) which enables its upper portion to have sufficient play to accommodate itself to the vibrations caused by the rotation of the receiving-vessel. To assist in maintaining it in its position and to restore it to its vertical posit-ion as it vibrates from one side to another, springs K may be provided, as shown in Fig. 1. The lower portion of the actuating-shaft H is rigidly maintained in its vertical position by proper boxing, and is provided with a pulley, L, which is driven by a belt connecting it with a pulley rotated by the power of the works, and in this way the shaft and the receiving-vessel are rotated. 7

As the receiving-vessel is intended to be rotated at a speed of several thousand revolutions a minute, and as the shaft or spindle which rotates it will revolve with equalspeed, while at the same time sustaining its weight, great friction will be produced in the bearing on which it rests and on which it revolves. To reduce the amount of this friction, or, rather, to distribute it, we have divided the tion of the shaft and provided with means to.

rotate it. The shaft H is intended to be retated by a pulley, L, connected by a band with the pulleyl on. the power-shaft X, which receives its rotation from the power of the The pulley L and the shaft H within works. it rotate at the same speed as the receivingvessel. The shaft H rests on a bearing provided with a pulley, M, connected by a band to a pulley, m, on the shaft X, so that the bearing containing the pulley l\[ also rotates in the same direction as the shaft H, but at a less rate of speed. The bearing containing the pulley h'l also rests upon another bearing containing a pulley, N, connected by a band to a pulley, n, on the power-shaft X, so that the bearing containing the pulley N also rotates in the same direction as the bearing containing the pulley M, but at a less rate of.

speed. The bearing containing the pulley N also rests on another bearing eont-aining a pulley, 0, connected bya band with a pulley, 0, on the shaft X, so that the bearing containing the pulley O rotates in the same direction as the bearing containing the pulley N, but at a less rate of speed. The bearing contain ing the pulley 0 may rest in a stationary step or socket adapted to receive it, or in still another rotating bearin g, as may be desired. All of the sections of the bearings rotating in the same direction as the main shaft H, the speed or friction produced in each section can only be the friction caused by the difference between its rotation and the rotation of the section above it. In this way the friction bearing may be divided as many times as desired, so that the friction speed at any one point will be too small to occasion difficulty or injury. 7

As shown in Fig. 2, the shaft H has a 1101- low pipe or extension diminished in diameter, which extends down through all the sections of the bearing. Of course this diminished eictension, which I have indicated by the letter P, revolves at the same rate of speed as the main portion; but as it does not sustain the weight of the shaft H and other parts there is little danger of injurious friction. This extension P may be dispensed with entirely if other means be employed to retain the various sections of the bearing on which the pulleys M, N, and O are mounted plumb or in their proper vertical position. In Fig. 3 we have shown such means. Each section of the bearferred, however, the sockets may be in the ICC ing, as shown in this figure, contains a socket,

upper sections and lit down over hubs in the lower sections, as the order of arrangement is immaterial.

To supply the bearing with oil or lubrication, we prefer to carry a pipe, R, from atank or supply and introduce it into the vertical bearing at the bottom. The pipe extends up to near the top, as shown in Fig. 2. The oil or lubrication overflows and passes down the inside of the pipe P, where such pipe or extension is used, or down the inside of the bearing, where it is not used. If the pipe P be used, perforations or holes 1) are provided to enable the oil to pass through and work down into the joints of the bearing. The passage of oil through these perforations will be facilitated by the rotation of the pipe P, which subjects the oil to the action of centrifugal force. If desired, recesses S may be made in the bearing, into which the oil will pass, and which are capable of holding a quantity. Outside of the bearing cups T may be provided to receive the oil which works out through the joints between the different sections of the bearing, whence it passes into a pipe, U, and is carried off to any desired place. Where the pipe P is dispensed with, as in Fig. 3, the oil fiowin g down the inside of the bearing will pass into the joints and effect the lubrication of the parts.

In Fig. 2 we have shown rings or collars V,

which we prefer to make of hardened steel, and which are intended to afford the frictionsurface of the sections of the bearing on which the pulleys M, N, and O are mounted. As they become worn by use, they may be removed and others substituted in their place.

To remove the material not thrown off by the action of centrifugal force, we prefer to make the receiving-vessel separable in the plane of its largest diameter and to slightly incline the sides of the same to the point of separation. In Fig. 1 the line of separation isshown as between the sides of the receiving-vessel and its bottom, which is also the plane of its largest diameter.

In the specification and claims we shall speak of the lower end or portion of the actuatingshaft H; but we desire it understood that by the lower portion or end we mean that portion of the shaft which engages with the bearing by which the shaft and the receiving-vessel are supported and rota-ted. We also speak of the bearing being divided into a number of sections; but we desire it understood that we do not limit ourselves to any particular number of sections. As the object of dividing the bearing into sections is to distribute the friction speed of the shaft, it is obvious that this will be accomplished to a certain extent if the hearing be divided into but two sections, one of which rotates in the direction of the rotation of the shaft, but at a less rate of speed, and in the specification and claims we desire when speaking of the number of sections to include 'one or more intermediate or rotating sections.

WVe shall also in some of the claims call for a bottom of refractory material in that spot where the molten material falls. By this we mean a composition or material of greater refractory quality than cast-ironas fire-clay, for example.

In operation the material to be treated is illtroduced into the receiving-vessel in a molten state. This Vessel is rotated at a high rate of speed, so that there will be produced a very great amount of centrifugal force or action, which will decompose the material being treated to a greater or less extent and cause its heavier portions to pass to the sides of the receiving-vessel and its lighter to pass to the central portion of the vessel. As the material flows in and the vessel becomes filled, the central or lighter portion of the material will overflow through the neck or mouth E of the receiving-vessel and be thrown against the curbing F, whence it will fall on the rotating table and be carried off. After the operation is continued as long as desirable, or until a sufficient quantity of the heavier portions of the material has been deposited' around the sides of the receiving-vessel, the inflow of the molten material is stopped and the portion deposited around the sides of the receiving-vessel is removed by taking out the bottom of the vessel or in any other desirable way. The operation is again begun as be fore. In this way we are able to decompose ceive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to lit the interior of the surronmling shell or case, and provided with a neck or mouth separable from the main portion of the lining and removable from the surrounding shell or case,

and means for revolving said vcssel,substantially as described.

In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revolublc receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding shell or case and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and

provided with channels, grooves, or indentations to diminish the surface-contact between the lining and the shell or case, and provided with a neck or mouth separable from the main portion of the lining and removable from the surrounding shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said vessel, and means for revolvin g said vessel, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizin g ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and separable in the plane of its largest diameter, an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said vessel, and means for rotating said vessel, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals'and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case, and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and separable in the plane of its largest diameter, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case, and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case, and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and provided with channels, grooves, or indentations to diminish the surface-contact between the lining and the shell or case, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive molten material to be treated and sepa-' rable in the plane of its largest diameter, comprising a surrounding shell or case provided with an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said shell or case, and a lining of an exterior size and shape to fit the interior of the surrounding shell or case, and-provided with channels, grooves, or indentations to diminish the surface-contact between the lining and the shell or case, and

means for revolving said vessel, substantiallyas described.

9. In an apparatus for decomposing metal lic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated,'com-' from the main portion of the lining and removable from the shell or case, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus for decomposing'metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted'to receive the molten material to be treated, a" bottom in said vessel composed of refractory material or .material capable of withstanding great heat in that spot where the molten material falls, a removable ring or collar forming the outer rim of the bottom and extending from the central portion of refractory ma terial to the sides of the receiving-vessel and separable therefrom, and means for revolving said vessel, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adaptedto receive the molten material to be treated and a surrounding curb having an incasing cover or envelope of wire wrapped or coiled around said curb, substantially as described.

12. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination such sections being provided with sockets and hubs, the hubs fitting and rotating in the sockets, whereby the various" sections are I maintained in their vertical position, and means for rotating the actuating-shaft, substantially as described.

13. In an apparatus for decomposing metallic salts or salts of metals and desulphurizing ores when in a molten state, the combination of a revoluble receiving-vessel adapted to receive the molten material to be treated, a revoluble actuating-shaft rotating said vessel the actuating-shaft, a pipe entering said 1101- 5 low diminished extension and introducing; oil 10 therein, and means for rotating the actuatingshaft, substantially as described.

PHINEAS H. ADAMS, JR. ORSEMAS T. X. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

THOMAS A. BANNING, GEORGE S. PAYSON. 

